Linux: Detect Python .pth Path Configuration File Creation in site-packages
Alerts on creation of Python .pth files in /lib/python3.X/site-packages on Linux, which can trigger code at Python startup.
- Product
- linux
- Category
- file_event
- Author
- Andreas Braathen (mnemonic.io) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2024-04-25
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
ExecutionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags creation of Python path configuration files (.pth) under Python’s site-packages directories on Linux. Attackers can abuse .pth files because their contents are evaluated during Python startup (v3.5+), enabling code execution or persistence without requiring the script to explicitly import the referenced module. It relies on file creation telemetry that includes the created filename and full path, matching for *.pth files within /lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages.
Reporting behind it
- volexity.comhttps://www.volexity.com/blog/2024/04/12/zero-day-exploitation-of-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-globalprotect-cve-2024-3400/
- virustotal.comhttps://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/3de2a4392b8715bad070b2ae12243f166ead37830f7c6d24e778985927f9caac
- docs.python.orghttps://docs.python.org/3/library/site.html
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/linux/file/file_event/file_event_lnx_python_path_configuration_files.yml
Changelog
v5- v5Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v4Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v3Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: "Linux: Detect Python .pth Path Configuration File Creation in site-packages"
id: 9cb80d04-3c42-459c-a490-ab3867249b27
related:
- id: e3652ba3-0ad8-4010-a957-b7ba369e7bac
type: similar
- id: 4f394635-13ef-4599-b677-3353e0f84f55
type: similar
- id: fb96c26c-9f85-4ae7-af0d-ed1ed1f1f5ce
type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags creation of Python path configuration files (.pth) under Python’s site-packages directories on Linux. Attackers can abuse .pth files because their contents are evaluated during Python startup (v3.5+), enabling code execution or persistence without requiring the script to explicitly import the referenced module. It relies on file creation telemetry that includes the created filename and full path, matching for *.pth files within /lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages.
references:
- https://www.volexity.com/blog/2024/04/12/zero-day-exploitation-of-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-globalprotect-cve-2024-3400/
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/3de2a4392b8715bad070b2ae12243f166ead37830f7c6d24e778985927f9caac
- https://docs.python.org/3/library/site.html
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/linux/file/file_event/file_event_lnx_python_path_configuration_files.yml
author: Andreas Braathen (mnemonic.io), Huntrule Team
date: 2024-04-25
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.006
- detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
product: linux
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
TargetFilename|re: (?i)/lib/python3\.([5-9]|[0-9]{2})/site-packages/
TargetFilename|endswith: .pth
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Although .pth files are discouraged due to potential security implications, these are legitimate files by specification.
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1